Biosolids inhibit uptake and translocation of 14C-carbamazepine by edible vegetables in soil

Biosolids are regarded as a major source of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in soil and may lead to their accumulation in plants and potential human risks through dietary intake. Using 14C labeling, we explored the effect of biosolids on the uptake and tissue distribution of carbamazepine (CAB) by three ready-to-eat vegetables (i.e., carrot, celery, and pak choi) under greenhouse conditions. The 14C-CAB was consistently detected in vegetables and plant tissues with bioconcentration factors in a range of 1.28–37.69, and it was easily translocated from root to leaf and/or stem with translocation factors > 1. The inhibition on the uptake and accumulation of 14C-labeled carbamazepine from soil by the addition of biosolids was consistently observed, and such inhibitory effect was related to the biosolid amendment rates, the category of vegetable, and the plant growth stages. The influence of biosolids on behavior of CAB and other emerging pollutants in the soil-plant system should be considered in their environmental risk assessment.